The Risky Natural Gas Pipeline Mainers Don’t Know They’re On The Hook For

Jul 22, 2016Maine Beacon

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Conservation Law Foundation attorney Ben Tettlebaum joins the Beacon podcast this week to discuss the decision by the members of the Maine Public Utilities Commission to ignore the recommendations of their own staff and potentially allow fossil fuel companies to bankroll a new, risky gas pipeline with public funds.

“The fossil fuel industry hoodwinked the PUC into gambling one billion dollars of Mainers’ hard-earned money on a massive new gas pipeline,” said Tettlebaum in a release earlier this week. “From day one, this LePage-appointed commission has been desperate to find any way to justify overwhelming concessions for Big Gas, no matter the cost. From helping kill the solar bill, to reopening wind contracts, to squashing energy efficiency programs and more, these commissioners have exhibited a troubling pattern of failed leadership, regressive policies and unlawful behavior, and today’s decision is no exception.”